Page 85 of The Comeback Pact

“You know, if you don’t want to come tomorrow, I’ll understand.”

I pull away. “Are you kidding me? I’ll be there. I might only come for the show, but I’ve been dying to see it, Sydney. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

She squeezes my hands, then steps away.

“Now, go get your beauty sleep! Big day tomorrow!”

She beams, almost skipping to her room. I shut the lights off and trek the hallway back to my room, making sure the front door is locked before I head inside. The bare space where I used to have my David Boudia poster feels like a chasm of emptiness. I should put it back, but I don’t have the energy right now.

Plus, at this point in my grieving, the poster would be a poor substitute for West, physically speaking.

I pull out my pajamas from the closet, and a shirt falls on the floor. I pick it up in the dark, frowning when I don’t recognize the fabric.

A pang hits me when I bring it into the light. It’s West’s jersey. The one he made a big deal about giving me because it meant I washis.

“Ugh!” I throw it back in the closet and slam the doors closed.

That’s enough of West Brooks tonight.

I should take his stupid jersey back to him and tell him to shove it…

But he’d probably be too busy worrying about the game tomorrow to see me.

Fucking. Football. Players.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

West

Nerves get to me.Mine and Aidan’s shared room feels like a tomb of my own making.

The door opens, and Aidan walks through with a towel around his waist. I squeeze the tie I have in my hand. We really don’t have to be at the field for another hour and a half, but I’m going early.

“Need assistance?”

“You know it.” I hand Aidan my royal-blue tie that matches the Bulldog colors. I’ve been wearing the same one since I started here and haven’t once tied it on my own. Just one of those things fathers teach their sons that I have yet to know how to do.

“I really should teach you how to do this.”

“Maybe one day, but it always seems like we’re in a hurry.” I lift my chin so he can do his thing.

He places it around my head, measuring up both sides. “Are you ready for today?”

“I’ll be happy once the first part of the day is over.”

He chuckles. “I’m surprised Coach is letting you do this.”

So am I. Though, it was sort of his idea. He said the media needed a story, so I’m giving them one. “I think it’s because it’s not actually interfering with anything. If it did, he’d be pissed.”

“Hopefully, this will help everything blow over. You know it won’t be right away because you’re giving everyone another story, but at least you’ll be telling the truth.”

My stomach wrenches. I’m not looking forward to airing my family’s dirty laundry, but the way I see it, if I do it now, it’ll cut my father off at the knees. Plus, maybe I won’t have to go through this again.

Aidan finishes, tightening up the knot toward my neck. He grabs my shoulders. “Just be yourself. I’ll see you in the locker room so we can teach Hamilton a lesson on the field.”

I grin. That’s what I wanted to hear. That’s the kind of enthusiasm I want for today. “Homecoming, baby.”

“Homecoming.”

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